Cafe on the Square's First Poetry Night is Tonight

Posted on Monday, September 12, 2011 [1:54 PM]

Café on the Square's Poetry Night will be held on the second Monday
of each month.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Poetry is synonymous with
college coffee houses. And beginning Sept. 12, Lindsey Wilson
College students can share and experience poetry at least one night
a month at Café on the Square's Poetry Night.

Poetry Night was created by LWC English major Christina
O'Rourke, who also works at the restaurant, 212 Public Square. It
begins at 5 p.m. CT.

The coffee house -- which is LWC's students' de facto student
center -- is a popular place for student and local musicians, and
O'Rourke hopes it also becomes a center for new poetry in the
region.

Cafe
on the Square "had tried to do something like this before, but
it never really took off," O'Rourke said. "We have enough people
excited and willing to participate from the Lindsey Wilsons campus.
I have talked to a few teachers in the English department, and they
are supportive of the idea."

Plans are to hold Poetry Night on the second Monday of every
month. During each Poetry Night, a stage and a microphone will be
set up in the back of the coffee house where people will be invited
to share poems.

"I do not care if you're 10 or 30 or an amateur, all walk-ups
are welcome at the microphone. Anyone can do it," O'Rourke said.
"We prefer if people bring their own original work -- as long as it
is appropriate -- but you can share things that are special to you
and inspire you."

Café on the Square manager Kellis Booth said he is excited what
the event will add to the restaurant.

"It gives people experience in public speaking while honing
their craft," he said. "We also try to provide fun things for
students that are safe and creative."

Booth plans to share some of his original works at Poetry
Night.

"People have stories to tell, feelings to express, and poetry is
a means that allows for people to do that," he said.

Booth also plans to share a friend's poems.

"There's a sick woman that I have become friends with recently,
and she has only been sharing her poems with me," he said. "I want
be able to read her poems and share them with everyone."

Booth said he hopes Poetry Night to becomes a popular event with
LWC students who attend Cafe on the Square.

"We're hoping to create something unique for the Columbia
community and that, God willing, the right people show up and we
make something special happen," he said.